While this week has been calmer after protesting farmer blockades dominated the news last week, they are again blocking several Walloon distribution centres of supermarket chains on Friday.
The blockades were set up pending a meeting with Comeos, the Belgian federation of commerce and services, and major retailers on Friday. Colruyt's depot in Ghislenghien (Hainaut), Aldi in Villeroux (Namur) and Gembloux (Walloon Brabant), Lidl in Marche-en-Famenne (Luxembourg) and Intermarché in Villers-le-Bouillet (Liège) are all blocked, Le Soir reports.
The Federation of Young Farmers (FJA) was not satisfied with the answers it received after the protests last week and wants higher compensation for their products, such as meat, eggs and milk, in the short term.
The aim is to stop the blockades only if the consultations produce concrete results. If not, the depots will remain blocked, "possibly for several days," FJA's Maxime Janssen told French-language broadcaster RTL. "The tone will become harsher in the coming weeks."
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Last week, large farmers' protests took place across Belgium, creating chaotic situations in the entire country, particularly on motorways during rush hour. Several distribution centres were blocked, including in Flanders, resulting in empty shelves in supermarkets.
In Flanders, farmers are currently in talks with the Flemish Government and expect measures to be taken by 12 February. They also warned of further actions if these do not materialise.
An action is already taking place today in Genk (Limburg), where an informal council with European competitiveness ministers is currently taking place.
